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App apt for better interaction

A mobile phone application which aims to improve communications between young people and the police is being designed with help from the University of Wolverhampton.

Researchers from the University have teamed up with the West Mercia Police to assist students from St Michael’s C of E School, Rowley Regis, in the development of ideas for the app.

Karl Royle, head of Business Development at the University’s Centre for Development and Applied Research in Education (CeDARE), led the workshop in January which saw 16 students and a police constable planning and discussing potential uses for the app.

The date for the next workshop to develop these ideas is due to be held on Monday 24 June, where the students will be deciding the core functions of the app, as well as developing a project plan using digital tools and project planning software.

Following this they will pitch their idea to the assistant chief constable at the West Mercia Police and seek funding for development.

Speaking about the scheme, Royle said: “Children are interacting with mobile technologies and devices more than ever before so the police are really keen to interact with young people in this manner.

The idea of the project is to provide valuable police information to young people promptly and in an easily accessible way. This app could make a big difference to the safety of our young people and how they interact with the police.”